Tropical Storm Nate - Oct 2017

Glide: TC-2017-000148-NIC

Overview

On 4 October 2017, according to the National Hurricane Center, life-threatening flash floods and mudslides are possible over portions of Central America from the Tropical Depression 16. Forecasts indicate the depression should be nearing the coast of Nicaragua early Thursday, then across northeastern Nicaragua and eastern Honduras late Thursday and later emerging into the northwestern Caribbean Sea on Friday, 6 October 2017. As Tropical storm warning is in effect for Sandy Bay Sirpi Nicaragua to Punta Castilla in Honduras. Other possible areas to monitor are the Bay Islands in Honduras, western Cuba, and the Yucatan Peninsula. (IFRC, 4 Oct 2017)

As of October 6th, the number of casualties rose to 28 and with 14 people reportedly missing. National Civil Protection systems were triggered and are responding with local coordination mechanisms. Tropical storm Nate will continue its trajectory towards the north-eastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula on the evening of October 6th as it makes its way to the US Gulf Coast, where it is projected to make landfall as a hurricane. According to data provided by the National Civil Protection Systems, the damage reported is as follow:
1. Nicaragua: 11 deaths; Government has provided food supplies for more than 1,600 affected households; 11 departments/31 municipalities affected; More than 30,000 people affected. 5,953 damaged houses.
2. Guatemala: 5 deaths, 3 missing; 2,749 people affected; 413 people rendered homeless.
3. Costa Rica: 8 deaths, 11 missing; 3,921 people evacuated to 94 shelters; 419,868 people without water.
4. Honduras: 3 deaths; 16 provinces on yellow alert; 143 affected people.
5. Panama: 1 death; 150 affected homes; 750 people affected.

In Costa Rica, landslides caused significant damage to roads and villages, cutting off some areas. A highway that connects the south of the country was washed away in Casa Mata. At least 5,000 residents fled to emergency shelters there, according to The Associated Press. The Costa Rican government declared a state of emergency, and President Luis Guillermo Solís appealed to the international community for support.
Given the level of damages so far, the Costa Rica Forum through its local member ILCO (Lutheran Church in Costa Rica) is planning on submitting a funding proposal to provide Food aid, non-Food Items, WASH, Psychosocial Support. the Nicaragua Forum is assessing the situation in order to decide if they are going to respond.(ACT Alliance, 9 Oct 2017)

On 12 October, the IFRC issued an Emergency Appeal for 1,523,001 Swiss francs and allocated 316,177 Swiss francs from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Costa Rica Red Cross to assist 24,000 people for six months. (IFRC, 12 Oct 2017)

As of 14 October, 874 isolated people were reported, 12 communities without access, 7 sheltered established, 87 sheltered communities, 40 communities without water, 1 community without electricity, 2,160 of food kits distributed, and 900 food kits and 8,760 liters of water in stock.
According to data from the Acosta Municipal Emergency Commission, the storm most severely affected the canton of Acosta, which suffered flooding, the destruction of public roads, bridge collapses and landslides in the highlands; additionally, the storm destroyed houses and damaged to the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers and Rural Aqueducts (ASADAS)’s distribution system; three aqueducts are still out of service.
On 23 October, CNE’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) of declared a yellow alert for the zones of Valle Central, Pacifica Central, Pacifico Sur and Pacifico Norte due to increased rainfall along the Pacific Rim; furthermore, the heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the coming weeks, leading the CRRC to place the branches in the Pacific Rim area under alert and pre-position relief items in this zone. To date, 15 people have been evacuated in Upala canton. (IFRC, 3 Nov 2017)

According to the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (AyA), aqueduct infrastructure was the most affected. The AyA and the Aqueduct and Sewerage Association (ASADAS) have temporarily restored service to more than 482,000 people in different parts of the country, and they continue working on rehabilitating other aqueducts. To date, 22 AyA systems that serve 63,000 people and 160 ASADAS systems that serve 147,000 people remain out of operation. Many ASADAS lost part of or their entire systems. (IFRC, 15 Dec 2017)

As of 12 January 2018, 14 deaths, 642 affected communities and 3,000 people evacuated was part of what left Tropical Storm Nate...The National Commission for Emergencies, with resources financed by Costa Ricans through The National Emergency Fund, has allocated a total of ₡ [Costa Rican Colón] 3,601,856,674.00 (three thousand six hundred one million eight hundred and fifty-six thousand six hundred and seventy four) in first-class actions response, rehabilitation and execution of projects by extreme urgency, which have served for the economic reactivation of the communities. (Gov't of Costa Rica, 12 Jan 2018)

In Nicaragua, The Nicaraguan Red Cross has had difficulties in procuring water and sanitation items, including cleaning and disinfecting kits for water wells, delaying the start of the activities outlined in the Water and Sanitation component of this Emergency Plan of Action. The IFRC logistics unit in Panama is supporting the procurement of these items. Additionally, heavy rains continue to affect the regions delaying further activities. An additional month is needed to complete the procurement of items and provide potable water to the targeted families. (IFRC, 5 Dec 2017)
On 16 Feb 2018, Sinapred authorities reported that these foods will reach the homes of some 5,800 families affected by the Nate storm and low atmospheric pressures in October 2017. (Gov't of Nicaragua, 16 Feb 2018)

Below-average rain recorded in West Africa, while above-average rain persists over Eastern Africa

Inconsistent and below-normal rainfall since mid-August has increased moisture deficits and led to abnormal dryness for parts of southern Burkina Faso and northern Ghana.

Recent heavy rains have caused the Niger and Benue Rivers in Nigeria to flood. Reports indicate that 100,000 people were displaced by flooding and many crops have been destroyed. Continued rain will keep rivers high.